CHAPTER 29

Hermione didn't have time to even look at where they were before Draco slammed her into the wall and landed his mouth on her throat. His hand gripped her breast, bunching the thin satin of her dress as he squeezed her roughly.

"I've wanted to fuck you so hard since I first saw you," he growled, his lips moving frantically over her neck, her jaw, and finally her mouth. His tongue pressed against her lips and she opened to allow him what he so desperately wanted.

And he devoured her.

His body held her firmly against the wall and she felt him growing hard, his thick length straining against his trousers and pressing into her stomach. His mouth never stopped, moving against hers in a hard desperation. Draco's hands reached for the skirt of her dress, tugging it unceremoniously up her legs and shoving it over her hips. He paused and pulled back to look at her when his hand found bare skin.

"You're naked?"

She grinned at him. "Not completely. I have had this dress on."

"Fucking hell, Granger!"

He slipped the spaghetti-thin straps down her arms exposing her naked breasts. Reaching behind her he unfastened the tiny button and lowered the short zipper. Hermione wiggled her hips and the dress floated to the floor.

Draco's eyes roamed slowly down her body, taking in every inch of her like he'd never seen her before. His fingertips drew a line from her collarbone, down between her breasts, stopping just below her navel.

"Your dress on your skin… how did it feel?" he murmured, dropping his eyes to where his hand was inching lower. "Did it slide across your skin?" He pressed his knuckle between her thighs. "Did it make you wet?" He dragged his finger slowly up and down her slick skin, grazing her clit before he pushed it inside her. "Did it feel this good?"

Hermione groaned and wrapped her leg around his. "Nothing feels as good as you."

"Good." He leaned down and whispered close to her ear. "Because tonight you're definitely going to feel me." He slid two fingers into her, pumping deeply. "I won't be gentle."

"I don't want gentle," Hermione groaned and slid her leg higher along his, needing his fingers even deeper.

Draco made a low noise deep in his throat and tilted his head down to suck on her pulse. One of Hermione's hands gripped his shoulder and the other slid into his hair, her deep sigh mingling with his low growl.

"You're mine, Granger." His voice was low, heavy against her skin. "Mine. Do you understand that?"

Hermione smiled; Alpha Draco had come out to play.

"I'm yours, Alpha." She gripped his hair and yanked his head back. "All of me belongs to you. Show me how much you want me."

Draco growled again, his mouth returning to her throat and sucking hard. Twisting his fingers inside her, he pressed his thumb against her clit, the triple sensation drawing a sharp gasp from her.

"I'll show you, Darling." He added another finger, stretching her and making her breath catch once more. "You are the only one… my mate. My Alpha."

His fingers plunged deeply and she cried out, her head thumping onto his shoulder. He pumped harder and faster, his free arm sliding around her back, holding her up when her legs began to shake.

"Draco!"

His name was a sharp breath against his neck and she slumped forward, her body shuddering, her hands clutching at the back of his suit jacket. Draco pressed his face into her hair, breathing deeply.

Her scent had changed.

He'd expected the lilac, amber, and honey he'd become accustomed to. But there was something else. Something familiar.

Vanilla.

Argan.

The aromas she had told him she'd scented on him.

"Draco?" Hermione glanced up at him, her eyes the beautiful golden hue he loved above all others.

"Your scent is different."

"Ron and Harry? They escorted me."

Draco shook his head. "Vanilla and Argan."

"But… that's you."

Draco nodded; he was as shocked as she was.

She tugged the collar of his shirt open, leaning in and pressing her nose to his throat gland. He heard her deep inhale and the surprise hitch in her breath.

"Honey and amber…" Her eyes were wide when she looked back up at him. "How…?"

Draco shook his head. "I've no idea."

"The bonding?"

"Maybe." He smiled down at her. "Whatever it is, I love it. You're definitely mine now, Granger."

"And you're mine, Malfoy," Hermione laughed as he lifted her from the floor and carried her across the room, dumping her unceremoniously onto the bed.

"Stuck together, Granger." He kicked off his shoes and shrugged off his jacket before quickly shedding his shirt. "There's no getting out now"

She stretched her foot out and ran her toe along his thigh. "I'm not going anywhere, mister."

"Well, neither am I." He shoved his trousers and boxers down, kicking his feet free and lifting each foot to tug off his socks.

Hermione finally glanced around and she began to laugh. "Is this your old room?"

Draco crawled onto the bed beside her. "It is."

"Oh my God!" She rolled towards him, giggling. "You're using our bonding night to fulfill one of your teenage fantasies, aren't you?"

He didn't even flinch. "Yep."

"Draco!" She laughed harder. "This is wrong on so many levels!"

"Why?" He began to stroke his fingers over her hip.

"You slept here as a child! That's what's wrong with it."

"I slept here as a teenager." He dragged his fingers over her stomach, tracing a line upwards between her breasts stopping at her throat gland. "I also slept here when the Alpha changes first took hold."

"So, lots of solo performances in this bed then?"

Draco brushed his thumb over her nipple. "More than you can imagine."

"This is so weird," Hermione giggled and touched his cheek. "And after such a perfect evening."

The ceremony had been perfect. And the reception afterwards had been exactly what Hermione had wanted. Small and intimate. Just their family and friends.

Narcissa and Lucius had insisted they use the Manor gardens. And Hermione had agreed without hesitation. There had been too much outside interest in the first ever Alpha bonding that she knew there was nowhere else they could have the privacy she wanted. Wards had been set and cloaking charms over the entire estate ensured no overhead pictures could be taken.

And the gardens had been spectacular.

Daisies, tulips, bluebells and cornflowers has been magically set amongst the greenery. Hundreds of tiny stars floated above their heads, twinkling against the clear night sky and spreading a warm glow over the guests.

Lucius had stepped in for her father, dancing with her while everyone watched. It had been so sweet and touching, and his words to her had brought tears to her eyes.

"You truly are special, sweetheart." He winked at her. "If I wasn't so happily married, my son wouldn't have stood a chance."

Hermione laughed, "I don't think I'd stand a chance if Narcissa heard you saying that."

He laughed with her. "The Malfoy men chose wisely — strong women who keep them on their toes. My son is extremely fortunate you allowed him to win you over."

"He's very sweet when he's not being a total arse." She glanced over at Draco. "Plus, he's not too harsh on the eyes."

"Another proud Malfoy trait," Lucius replied. "And it's a great honour to welcome you into the Malfoy family."

"It's a great honour to be part of a family again."

"But you already had a family. Look around you," Lucius said. "Look at the family you've created."

Hermione scanned the people around her. The faces she saw were all smiling and laughing, and she realised the calmness she had felt after her earlier meltdown was a result of having a family around her.

Molly and Arthur were doting over Victoire and baby Dominique. Harry had his arm wrapped protectively around Pansy's waist as they spoke with one of Draco's cousins from France. Ron and Blaise were laughing with Neville and Hannah. Daphne and Ginny were listening politely to whatever Luna was telling them as she pointed at the sky.

And despite it being her wedding, the most heartwarming thing was seeing Narcissa and Andromeda talking non-stop, catching up on their lost years.

Then there was Draco.

He had hardly left her all night. His hands were touching her constantly, smoothing up and down her arms as they chatted with one person, caressing the back of her neck as they chatted with the next. She'd been somewhat grateful for Lucius stepping in to dance with her; the possibility of Draco being stripped naked in front of everyone had been very real.

"Your family," Lucius said again. "One you should be very proud of. One who is honoured to have you as its guide."

Tears blurred the edges of her vision, and she dropped her gaze. She hadn't intended to turn her friends into family, but she couldn't have asked for anyone more perfect than the people who had pledged to be exactly that.

"Yes, everything was perfect," Draco agreed, pulling her back to the present. "And I don't want to make it less so. This might be my teenage fantasy, but you know we've both had more to drink than is safe to Apparate. And I'd rather not splinch you and spend tonight in St Mungo's watching you be put back together."

"Pfft, a likely excuse." Hermione reached between them and teased the hair on his navel. "You probably wanked with my face on your mind every night during the summer after the Yule Ball."

Draco gripped her wrists and rolled on top of her, pinning her arms over her head. "It wasn't just your face. Your tits played a major role—" he shifted between her thighs, grinding his erection against her wet skin "—as did your sweet little cunt."

"I'm glad I could ease those lonely nights for you."

He nuzzled her neck and she tilted her head, giving him access to her gland. "It was more than a teenage wank," he murmured. "It was everything I wished for with you."

"And did you get your wish?"

He notched himself against her entrance. "My wish was nothing compared to the real thing."

Lifting his head, his gaze stayed on hers as he entered her slowly, gliding into her until his knot pressed against her.

"No," she breathed. Her pulse picked up at the feel of him over her, the warmth of his skin on hers causing a hum of desire to crawl through her. "Not yet."

"I know," he whispered. "I won't. Not yet."

After his slamming her against the wall, she'd expected him to be frantic with her. Hard, fast fucking that would leave them both breathless and exhausted. But this was slow and sensual. He moved like fluid over her, his heavy body like an anchor, keeping her safe from the storm of the last few months.

He released her hands and leaned his elbows beside her head. Her breathing was already shallow, her heart pounding inside her chest.

"I love you so much," he said quietly. "Everything today... was so perfect... all of it..."

He kissed her; his lips were gentle, soft, so unlike his usual desperate, commanding kisses. His tongue flicked against hers, making her sigh. She wasn't sure what she'd expected, but it wasn't this. Wasn't the slow, sweet way he was touching her. Or the quiet murmurs against her lips

She didn't understand.

He was restrained, holding back, while she was losing herself in the scent of him, in the heat of his mouth, the feel of his skin.

She touched his face. "Draco?"

"Can you feel it?" He gazed down at her. "Can you feel...?"

"I don't understand."

His mouth left hers and trailed hot kisses down her jaw to the base of her throat. His tongue slid slowly across her gland and a bolt of magic shot through her.

"Oh!" she cried. "Draco... what...?"

Her body suddenly hummed with awareness, coming alive with the magic that had begun to flow through her. It was why he'd been going slow; he'd felt the same flow and was waiting for her to recognise it.

He slipped out of her, kissing his way down her body. His hand touched her stomach and trailed lightly down one hip to her thigh, tracing a lazy circle around the pulsing gland.

Draco glanced up at her and she reached down, carding her fingers through his hair. He pressed his thumb to her gland and another shot of magic flowed through her.

"Do you feel that?"

Hermione nodded, unable to form words. The magic was stronger than anything she'd ever felt.

"It's this gland." He pressed his nose into her thigh. "This is what makes you special."

He bit down, expecting to taste the metallic tang of their previous failed bondings. Instead, he tasted honey. The flavour of her skin. The golden hue of her eyes. He tasted her. All of her. And the sweetness spread across his tongue, dissolving like sugar, becoming a part of his very soul.

Hermione's cry was loud, her back arching, her magic exploding in the air above them. She reached for him and pulled him to her, her entire being thrumming with need. She kissed him. Hard. And his response was immediate. His hands travelled up her body, curving around her breasts, while his teeth grazed her lower lip. He kissed her with an intense hunger and his hands grew rougher in their touch.

She strained against him, her need was urgent, desperate, wanting to feel the explosion of magic again. She tilted her hips, searching for him, feeling the heavy length of him touching her core.

"Draco..."

"Look at me."

Hermione met his eyes and the aquamarine hue caused her to tremble beneath him; their connection was real, raw, and she felt his magic tingle as he pressed into her.

She trembled again, her orgasm already threatening to spill over. He withdrew almost completely from her, his thumb finding her thigh gland again, pressing down hard as he surged back into her.

Hermione moaned, her body tight, climbing higher and higher. Kissing her, Draco moved in and out of her in a steady rhythm, building each sensation. Her magic sparked beneath her skin, reaching for his.

"Let go," he demanded. "You need to let go."

And she did, shattering around him, her magic splintering and searching for his. She clutched at his shoulders, lifting her hips and chasing the sensation flowing through her. He quickly flipped them over, and even through her haze, she knew instantly what he needed.

Her mouth clamped down over his throat gland, her teeth digging into his flesh, and the sweet taste of vanilla exploded in her mouth. She moaned and his hips thrust up violently, his knot stretching her and locking within her body.

She came again, her body gripping him in waves. His own release was intense, a loud roar bursting from his chest and shaking the bed. She felt him pulse inside her, felt the heat of him fill her, their bodies becoming an endless extension of the other. The splinters of their magic joined, flowing between them, twisting and swirling, combining into a single force.

They were sweating, breathing heavily, their bodies and minds slowly coming down from the intense high. Draco rolled them over, holding his weight off her as best he could and Hermione opened her eyes. Her blurred vision slowly cleared and she was met with the same blue she saw at their ceremony.

Draco smiled down at her, smoothing her damp hair from her face and leaning in to press a gentle kiss to her lips.

"How did you know?" she asked.

"Take the time of binding. Before the final vows are made. To learn what you need to know. To grow in wisdom and love. That your marriage will be strong. That your love will last." He kissed her again. "The answer was in our vows."

"That was what she said?" Hermione asked and Draco nodded. "You understood her?"

"Aunt Andromeda translated it. She was probably the only one there who understood it."

"So how did that tell you to bite my thigh?"

"Learn what you need to know," he repeated. "It was the only thing we hadn't tried. The bonding ceremony set the magic in motion, I just needed to figure out what we hadn't tried."

Hermione smiled up at him. "You did figure it out. You're not just a pretty face."

"Rude." He yanked one of her curls and she laughed.

"We're bonded, Draco. Completely, utterly bonded. Nothing can ever tear us apart."

Draco sighed and dipped his head to press his forehead against hers. "You've no idea how long I've waited for you. Nothing will ever tear us apart."

"I like this," she whispered. "I like us."

Draco met her gaze. "This is us. This will always be us."

A popping sound woke them and Hermione lifted her head from Draco's chest to see what had caused the disturbance. She huffed a sleepy laugh; Keely was standing in the middle of the room, her eyes firmly closed.

"It's okay," Hermione croaked, then coughed to clear her throat. "Keely, it's okay. We're just sleeping."

The little elf slowly opened her eyes then smiled nervously. "Keely not wanting to disturb the new Malfoys."

Draco grunted and lifted his head. "Did Mother send you?"

"The mistress asked if Master Draco and Mistress Hermione wanted breakfast."

"Thank you, Keely," Hermione said politely. "Maybe in about half an hour."

Keely's ears twitched and a huge smile lit up her face. "Keely will tell the mistress."

She disappeared with another pop and Draco dropped his head back to the pillow, closing his eyes.

"Half an hour?" he groaned.

"That's plenty of time to shower and get dressed," Hermione replied.

"I wasn't planning on showering or getting dressed."

"Oh." Hermione giggled and curled back into his side. "But it would be rude of us to not go downstairs. You parents were kind enough to let us stay here."

Draco laughed. "Now that you're around, Mother would love nothing more than to have us move in here."

"As long as it's not this room."

He pinched her hip. "What's wrong with this room?"

She dropped her voice to a stage whisper. "Draco Malfoy wanked in this room."

Draco snorted. "My life will never be boring with you around, Granger."

"Nope," she agreed. "But we should eat. I'm a little lightheaded."

"Fine," Draco mumbled and sat up. "But fair warning, my Mother will be on a completely different tear now that we're married."

"Why's that?"

He stood and held out his hand, helping her from the bed. "She's desperate to become a grandmother."

Hermione's jaw dropped. "I don't… I'm not… it's been… one night!"

Draco pulled her flush against him. "She won't care. Be prepared for a plethora of baby hints."

"Maybe we should just Apparate home."

"But that would be terribly rude of us." He grinned down at her. "A shower then breakfast, Malfoy."

She scowled at him. "You're lucky I love you, Granger."

Draco laughed and lifted her into his arms. "Luckiest bastard alive."